Wednesday, September 10, 2008

A number of the ACL copies were listed as "MISSING." Presumed stolen? It reminded me of a story my sister related to me not too long ago. She was speaking with a children's librarian, and Jenni mentioned that the Babymouse books were also available in a durable, hardcover, Gibraltar Library Binding. She assumed, naturally, that librarians would be interested in buying books that were likely to survive years of repeated use and abuse.

But the librarian replied, "Oh, no—we only buy the paperbacks."

"Why?" Jenni asked.

"Because people always steal your books, and paperbacks are cheaper to replace."

Flattering to us, of course, but I wonder, librarians—is this a serious problem at all libraries? Is it worse for Children's departments?